Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center

Renovations at the Visitor and Education Center are slated to be complete in September 2025. The locker rooms are temporarily closed during construction.

Address: 5595 Grand Dr., St. Louis, MO 63112

Visitor Center Forest Park

Hours for Forest Park’s Visitor & Education Center:

Monday - Friday

  • 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday

  • 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The Forest Perk Café is located inside the Visitor Center, on the main floor.

Forest Perk Café hours:

  • Wednesday - Sunday: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

  • Mondays - Tuesday: CLOSED

NOTE: Check this interactive Forest Park Map as seasonal and holiday hours may be different than what is traditional or listed.

Borrowing from the Visitor & Education Center

Items can be borrowed free of charge in exchange for an identification card (state ID, license, military ID, or student ID). Click the button for a list* of items that may be borrowed from Forest Park Forever at the Information Desk.

Forest Park Forever will NOT lend equipment after 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday or after 6:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. All equipment must must be returned 15 minutes before the Visitor Center closes.

*basketball, ball pumps, balls for racquetball and handball, checkers pieces, chess pieces, and racquetball racquets.

Visitor & Education Center Offerings

Friendly and knowledgeable staff operate the Visitor Services Information Desk on the main floor of Forest Park’s Visitor and Education Center.

Bicycle Tire Pump (outdoor) and Racks for Cyclists
The Visitor Center is situated along Forest Park's paved Dual Recreational Pathway. Bicycle racks are conveniently located near both facility entrances.

Help yourself to free air and tools for bicycle repairs. The pump and maintenance station is located on the north (rear) patio.

Water fountains are located behind the north patio, and a fountain and bottle filler are inside.

Forest Park Forever Member Benefit Pickup
Members with benefit coupons can redeem them at the Information Desk. Stop by during building hours and our friendly Visitor Services Representatives will be happy to assist you.

Locker Room Information

  • Day-use Lockers: Small lockers located on the Visitor and Education Center’s main floor are free to use and cleaned out daily.

  • Locker Room Membership: The locker rooms are temporarily closed during renovation in Forest Park’s Visitor and Education Center.

Lost & Found

  • Lost an item near the Visitor Center: Check if someone has turned it in at our Visitor Services desk by calling 314.367.7275 x123.

  • Lost an item somewhere else in Forest Park: Check our Key Contacts page to connect with the building or structure closest to where your item may be.

  • Found an item: Be welcome to turn it in at the Visitor Services Information desk on the main floor of 5595 Grand Dr., St. Louis, MO 63112

Patios
The patios at the north and south entrances to the Visitor Center have tables and chairs, and several are equipped with sunshade umbrellas during warm months.

Restrooms
Public restrooms are located on the main floor of the Visitor and Education Center. The restroom facilities are open with an occupancy of no more than two (2) people at a time.

Restrooms are only available during operating hours. Check this interactive Forest Park Map as seasonal and holiday hours may be different than what is traditional or listed above.

Room Rentals
Visit this website or call 314.367.7275

Swings
Free-standing swings are located near the north (rear) patio, next to the racquetball courts.

Variety Wonderland Playground
Located just west of the building is the Dennis & Judith Jones Variety Wonderland Playground, a half-acre, state-of-the-art playground specifically designed for ALL children.

Water Bottle Filler
Located indoors near the public restrooms. An additional drinking fountain, with water bottle filler and dog watering bowl, is located outdoors near the north (rear) patio by the bicycle racks.

Wi-Fi
Enjoy free wireless internet access while utilizing our Visitor Center lobby or outdoor patios. Out of respect for all visitors, please use personal earphones or earbuds when using any technology with sound.

ADA Accessibility

  • There are several ADA parking spaces located in the Visitor Center Lots across from the Visitor and Education Center.

  • There are ADA-compliant crosswalks across Grand Drive between the Visitor and Education Center and parking lots.

  • The street-facing (south) building entrance has an ADA-compliant ramp and automatic door opener. Look for the automatic opener button at the top of the ramp (outside) and next to the left-door when exiting the facility. 

Transit Access

Directions

From the north:
Travel on 1-70 East to exit 244A for Union Blvd. Turn right onto Union Blvd., traveling for about 3.5 miles until you enter the Park. Turn right onto Grand Drive. The Visitor Center will be on your right, with parking on your left.

From the south: via Kingshighway Boulevard
Travel north on Kingshighway Blvd. Turn left onto West Pine Blvd followed by a left onto Grand Drive. The Visitor Center will be on your right, with parking on your left.

From the south: via I-44 and Hampton Ave
Take I-44 to Hampton Ave. Turn right onto Hampton Ave. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Concourse Drive. At the next traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Washington Drive. Turn right onto Government Drive. Turn left onto Pagoda Circle. Turn left onto Cricket Drive (parking will be on your left). Turn left onto Grand Drive. The Visitor Center will be on your right.

From the east:
Take Interstate 64/Highway 40 west to exit 36A/B Kingshighway Blvd. Turn right to travel north on Kingshighway Blvd. Turn left onto West Pine Dr. Turn left into onto Grand Drive. The Visitor Center will eventually be on your right, with parking on your left.

From the west:
Take Interstate 64/Highway 40 east to exit 33C for McCausland Ave. Turn left onto McCausland Ave. and keep left to turn onto Skinker Blvd. Turn right onto Lindell Blvd. Turn right into the Park on Cricket Drive, followed by a right onto Grand Drive. The Visitor Center will be on your right, with parking on your left.

 

Building History

Originally built in 1892 as the Lindell Pavilion Streetcar shelter, the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center is a historically significant component of the extensive restoration of Forest Park. With its distinctive Spanish architecture and clock tower, the Visitor Center serves as a central hub for visitor information and education, and it also houses a beautiful banquet facility and meeting rooms. It is situated on the north side of the Park in close proximity to the Missouri History Museum and the Dwight Davis Tennis Center.

Questions?

Visitor questions? Please contact Visitor Services Supervisor Eleni Chirco by email or by calling 314.561.3298.

Facility questions? Please contact Forest Park Forever’s Facility Manager Steve Burkhardt by email or by calling 314.561.3288.